Firefighters want less work to do

Every year, fire departments across the Mat-Su respond to fires throughout their response areas. We see a lot of the horror, fear and expressions of loss on faces of the victims. Many people did not have enough notice to grab anything at all in their escape from their home because of a lack of a smoke alarm or batteries. Some people never make it out. With each fire, the desire burns stronger inside every firefighter to stop these fires.

Will you help your fire department have less to do?

The week of Oct. 9-15 is Fire Prevention Week. This event, which started 88 years ago, is an opportunity to alert and educate the public about the importance of fire safety and each person’s role in fire prevention. Originally, it was a one-day event celebrated Oct. 9, 1911, on the 40th anniversary of the Great Chicago Fire by the group known today as the International Fire Marshals Association. It commemorates firefighters and advances fire prevention awareness. The observance was extended to a week in a proclamation by President Calvin Coolidge in 1922 and is the longest-running public health and safety event on record. Every president of the United States since 1925 has signed a proclamation declaring a national observance during the week in which Oct. 9 falls. The 2011 theme for Fire Prevention Week is “Protect Your Family From Fire!”

In 2009, a home fire was reported every 87 seconds. Approximately seven people die each day nationally in house fires, and those over the age of 65 are the most vulnerable. Unattended cooking is the primary cause of house fires and injuries and tied for the third leading cause of death in home fires. Heating equipment is the second highest cause of home fires and deaths. These fires peak in December, January and February. Failure to clean creosote from chimneys and other solid fuel equipment and placing flammable objects too close to a heat source are leading factors in fires. Another cause of home structure fire is the use of smoking materials, and the risk of dying from this increases with age. Electrical distribution and lighting equipment, appliances, fans, space heaters and candles are all possible sources of home structure fires.

The importance of a working smoke alarm cannot be overstated. Smoke alarms save lives. According to the National Fire Protection Agency, nearly two-thirds of home fire deaths occur in homes where there are no or nonworking smoke alarms. The chance of dying in a home fire is cut nearly in half by having a functioning smoke alarm. As the majority of these fires happen at night, many people believe they will be awakened by the smell of smoke, but the poisonous gases and smoke can numb the senses and cause a deeper sleep. An alarm can alert occupants to the presence of a fire and allow for escape. Fires can happen day or night, and the early notification to all family members by a smoke alarm can save lives. It is important to have and practice a home escape plan. Everyone should know two ways out of each room. A meeting place, outside the home, should be determined. By preparing, you and your family will respond more calmly, feel more secure and act more quickly in an emergency.

Immediately dial 911 if your smoke alarm is activated, even if you cannot see or smell smoke. Smoke alarms are made to detect small, trace amounts of smoke that you may not be able to notice yet and to provide an early warning of a fire. It should be replaced every 10 years, or if it starts giving you false alarms. If it takes batteries, they should be replaced every six months and tested monthly. Information on fire safety and prevention can be viewed online at akburny.com, firepreventionweek.org and sparky.org.

The Houston Fire Department, like many other local departments, has a program that provides free smoke alarms and installation to residents. Not every fire department has a similar program; you’ll have to call to find out. If you’re interested in taking part in the smoke alarm installation program, help with changing the batteries in an existing alarm, help installing a battery powered detector, contact your local fire department’s nonemergency business phone number.

As part of Fire Prevention Week, many fire departments also have open houses planned. Contact your local fire department to find out if and when their open house will happen.

Lt. Christian M. Hartley is the fire prevention officer for the Houston Fire Department and has been in emergency services since 1999.